What makes you buy ?

[D7E]

As a used tractor dealer i know what most peoples preferrences are , But i would like to know what drives you guys to a certain brand , My experience is in the 50+ hp (ag tractors) but you guys have a whole different way of thinking to farmers, I am all too familiar with different brands and the way their salesmen work and i am very interested ? What are peoples thoughts on British,Eastern european , gereman ,US tractors ...What do you go for and where do your loyalties lie ...If any ...Ha..Ha .
I don't want another brand war ...Just why.?

 

[Double Orange]

D7E, I base my decision heavily on Dealer Support. Or lack of support. I live in what is commonly referred to as the sticks. We prefer the term Farm Country. Farms around here are either large grain farms, milk farms, or in my case horse farms. I've learned that farmers around here have LONG memories. If a dealer doesn't perform to one's expectation, the whole country side heres about it. All of the dealers,and their employees are our neighbors. So we know where they LIVE. Which probably explains our good service. Good people, and good service. Now how do I decide which tractor to buy. Well thats simple I look at all 3 dealers inventory and then buy Orange. Works for me!! Frank

 

[Kendall69]

For me, and all local dealers are, lets just say, less than adequate, I buy ONLY by price, from anywhere in the country.

Last tractor was from NC, I'm in CA., price beat all local guys by 5k, tax vs. delivery was a wash.

Tractor never ever had to go back to any dealer for work.

When I get a great price, and then shop THAT price and dealers continue to tell me they can't beat it, I figure it's the lowest I'm going to get.

 

[D7E]

For me, and all local dealers are, lets just say, less than adequate, I buy ONLY by price, from anywhere in the country.

Last tractor was from NC, I'm in CA., price beat all local guys by 5k, tax vs. delivery was a wash.

Tractor never ever had to go back to any dealer for work.

When I get a great price, and then shop THAT price and dealers continue to tell me they can't beat it, I figure it's the lowest I'm going to get.

You think like me ,I travel 500 miles for stuff and i'm just a farmer who does this on the side ., I buy from auctions ,Maybe from a dealer if a wrong colour is in a wrong yard and i can get a deal ? And i want no "extended warranty" .It aint wort the paper it's written on (cash price). If i sell a machine its sold as "good" it will do what it was made to do (no more) or sold as seen (no come back's at all ) again "bottom book ",Cash price) Which is often 40% less than dealer prices, I have walked onto dealers lots asking the price of a machine knowing it has sat there for 2 years ,and a cash offer of 20'000 will buy a 30'000 machine. But i will still stand a motor or HYD pump or something obvious which is more than some dealers will do on a cash deal .
Just curious why people are like flies to a neon to that big JD sign ...They'l screw you just the same ?

 

[D7E]

whoops

 

[RoyJackson]

I buy Deere because I know I'll get dealer support and parts with no problems.
The only machines I won't consider are Chinese (for both workmanship and deception unfair trade practices by the chinese...they are an enemy...not a friend!) and grey market vehicles of any sort.
Grey market because one is too beholden to a dealer that may not be in business in 6 months.
I will say I'd go Kubota or New Holland in a heartbeat...but I don't see any change in tractors at the Jackson estate in the foreseeable future.

 

[rgood]

D7E - I bought a 4WD Yanmar w/ FEL from Frederick's in N. Alabama because if you buy the equivalent tractor from NH or John Deere it will cost at least 50% more. So, I have the best of both - I got a good price and I'm getting warranty, parts, and support from dealership that has been in business for about 12 years.

I was also looking for a tractor with ROPS installed - Which is something a lot of older tractors don't have - Frederick's installs ROPs, PTO shields etc before you buy it - A lot of the cheaper tractors you see on the internet don't have these things - And Frederick's even gave me an instruction manual for the tractor.

 

[Pete Milley]

D7E:
I had a picture in my mind of the tractor I wanted, no particular brand. I started looking around on the net to see if there was such a setup and if it was within reason pricewise. I found a few that fit. After narrowing down the possibilities, I researched the brand via the net and this forum. Then I researched the dealer through consumer venues such as BBB and Chamber of Commerce, etc. I contacted each dealer via phone and e-mail and decided which one was not blowing smoke in my face. Finally, I flew to Texas for a "hands on" inspection of the tractor and the dealer. I was impressed with both and wrote out a check. There are no dealers in this area so dealer support was not an issue. Parts availability is a key element, and as luck would have it, I bought one of the most popular models so parts are readily available.

 

[Grrrr]

We probably in the same sort of frame of mid as you D7E, we buy our tractors to use on the farm and they are expected to work and work hard.

I am not biased to any makes, (I don't really rate the Chinise ones) and am happy to try anything.

If it works hard, is reliable, cheap to run and doesn't cost money, it stays till it's death, if it doesn't, it finds a new home.

We have been in the Massey Stable for a few years now, but have seen John Deere, David Brown / Case and a few Fords.

Dealers are also an important consideration, as if something does break down and you have a harvest to bring in, you want that dealer to sort the problem out quick.

Cost is also a big factor, which is the reason why we are behind the times a bit in terms of high tech stuff.

 

[Builder]

I really like dealer support as my #1 factor, but will not buy under any circumstances buy Chinese or other tractors that might not be around next year.

I can't afford Deere, so I usually look at Kubota, Case, MF, etc.